TblncRNA-23, a long non-coding RNA transcribed by RNA polymerase I, regulates developmental changes in Trypanosoma brucei

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58979-w
• Publication Date: 2025-04-18T11:04:17Z
• Authors: Beathrice Galili-...; K. Shanmugha Rajan; Yuval Ida Ashkenazi; Almog Freedman; Tirza Doniger; Smadar Cohen-Chal...; Hiba Waldman Ben-...; Ron Unger; Isabel Roditi; Christian Tschudi; Shulamit Michaeli
• Keywords: RNA polymerase II; RNA polymerase III

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei undergoes a complex life cycle, moving between its mammalian host and the blood-feeding tsetse fly vector. two major surface proteins expressed by procyclic forms in insect midgut, EP GPEET procyclin, are transcribed from polycistronic transcription unit RNA polymerase I. Here we identify long non-coding RNA, TblncRNA-23, that is encoded procyclin genes. TblncRNA-23 localizes to nucleolus also associates with polysomes. Overexpression of down regulation RNAi or knockout (KO) mRNAs as targets, among other changed abundance transition early late procylic metacylic forms, suggesting role regulating gene expression which accomapines dictates transitions within host. interacts substrates via base-pairing using different domains. Purification TblncRNA-23-associated RaPID identifies hundreds proteins, including translated target mRNAs, association translating ribosomes. Early differ their social motility (SoMo) capabilities, essential for migration away midgut enable transmission. results hypermotility, whereas KO compromises this capacity, regulatory SoMo. Moreover, silencing abrogates ability transform metacyclic affecting parasite's potential cycle hosts.